Abstract: A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electro-optic element includes first and second spaced-apart transparent substrates defining respective opposite, aligned first and second edges, a first bus including a first electrode disposed along an inner surface of the first substrate adjacent the first edge and a second electrode disposed along an inner surface of the second substrate adjacent the first edge, and a second bus including a first electrode disposed along an inner surface of the first substrate adjacent the second edge and a second electrode disposed along an inner surface of the second substrate adjacent the second edge. The first bus and second bus are spaced apart along widths of the first and second substrates between the respective first and second edges. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second transparent substrates, including between the first and second electrodes of the first bus and the second bus, respectively.

Abstract: A cluster of communications platforms can comprise a master platform and support platforms. The master platform can partition a data block into data partitions and transmit the data partitions via a short range transmitter to the support platforms. Each support platform can include a high power storage device for powering long range burst transmissions of a subset of the data partitions to a distant receiver. Burst transmissions of data partitions by the same support platform can be separated by a charging time period that allows a high power storage device in the support platform to charge from a relatively low average power Pa a relatively high power burst PB that is sufficient to transmit one of the data partitions to a distant receiver.

Abstract: A cluster of communications platforms can comprise a master platform and support platforms. The master platform can partition a data block into data partitions and transmit the data partitions via a short range transmitter to the support platforms. Each support platform can include a high power storage device for powering long range burst transmissions of a subset of the data partitions to a distant receiver. Burst transmissions of data partitions by the same support platform can be separated by a charging time period that allows a high power storage device in the support platform to charge from a relatively low average power Pa a relatively high power burst PB that is sufficient to transmit one of the data partitions to a distant receiver.

Abstract: A thermistor is pulsed with energy, and a time constant of decay of temperature is calculated based on measured resistance of the thermistor over a number of known intervals. The time constant is representative of the mass air flow. The ambient air temperature may be found without waiting for the thermistor to reach the ambient air temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically coupling an end of a linear conductor to a surface conductor. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the linear conductor end. The housing includes a channel having a channel axis that is non-collinear with respect to the linear conductor axis. The apparatus further includes a conductive member movably disposed within the channel of the housing to move along the channel axis. The conductive member has a first end electrically coupled to the linear conductor end and a second end to electrically couple the conductive member to the surface conductor. The apparatus still further includes a biasing member in mechanical communication with the conductive member to bias the conductive member in electrical contact with the surface conductor. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: A coaxial transmission medium connector is provided which includes an outer conductor portion for electrically coupling to the outer conductor of a coaxial transmission medium. The outer conductor portion includes a base portion, a plurality of cantilevered beams, and a plurality of slots extending about a longitudinal axis. Each of the cantilevered beams is coupled to the base portion at a transition portion and terminates at a distal end. A center conductor portion is disposed within the central bore of the outer conductor portion for electrically coupling to the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission medium. Related apparatus and methods are provided.

Abstract: A coaxial transmission medium connector is provided for connecting to a coaxial transmission medium to form a coaxial conduction path, wherein the coaxial transmission medium has an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The coaxial transmission medium connector includes an outer conductor portion for electrically coupling to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission medium. The outer conductor portion includes a base portion, a plurality of cantilevered beams, and a plurality of slots extending substantially circumferentially about a substantially non-conductive cavity and substantially about a longitudinal axis extending through the cavity. Each of the cantilevered beams is coupled to the base portion at a transition portion and terminates at a distal end. Each of the cantilevered beams has a respective tapering profile with respect to the longitudinal axis that tapers in a direction away from the base portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically coupling an end of a linear conductor to a surface conductor. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the linear conductor end. The housing includes a channel having a channel axis that is non-collinear with respect to the linear conductor axis. The apparatus further includes a conductive member movably disposed within the channel of the housing to move along the channel axis. The conductive member has a first end electrically coupled to the linear conductor end and a second end to electrically couple the conductive member to the surface conductor. The apparatus still further includes a biasing member in mechanical communication with the conductive member to bias the conductive member in electrical contact with the surface conductor. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: The apparatus for recording vehicle position is designed to provide the user with a system for recording date, time and vehicle position utilizing information available from a Global Positioning System receiver. The recorded information is called a position log. The position log, in the form of a data file, can be transferred to a computer and reviewed at a later time. The apparatus contains devices which detect attempts at altering the position log, making the position log certifiably authentic and usable in legal proceedings. The apparatus has a Global Positioning System receiver, a clock, a microprocessor and independent vehicle motion sensing capability. The apparatus connects to the Global Positioning System antenna and the vehicle battery. All parts of the apparatus are enclosed in a sealed container which prevents alteration of the position log by substituting simulated Global Positioning System data for the real data in the position log.

Abstract: A pipe step for providing a flat supporting surface on the top side of a horizontal pipe. The step includes a pair of channel members each having arcs cut in the flange portions thereof to meet with the pipe. U-bolts are provided for clamping the channel members to the pipe. A flat-supporting surface form from square mesh grating is bolted to and extends between the upper web portions of the channel members and provides a non-slip flat supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for deriving weighted values SHD i, DHD i and MHD i to respectively represent the systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures for each heartbeat of a patient from the values S.sub.i, D.sub.i and M.sub.i that are the maximum, minimum and means blood pressures of the current heartbead; S.sub.i-1, D.sub.i-1 and M.sub.i-1 that were the maximum, minimum and mean blood pressures for the previous heartbeat; SHD i-1, DHD i-1 and MHD i-1 that respectively represented the systolic, diastolic and means blood pressures of the previous heartbeat; and a constant K.sub.i that is a function, F, of the difference between M.sub.i and the mean pressure M.sub.i-1 of the previous heartbeat. The expressions for S.sub.i, D.sub.i, M.sub.i and K.sub.

Abstract: A variable volume pressure wave generator including a drive magnet; a low mass, drive coil for energization by an electrical analog of a pressure wave to be simulated and driven by interaction with a magnet; a low mass, high compliance drive coil suspension for supporting the coil relative to the magnet; a piston interconnected and driven with the drive coil; a pressure chamber having an opening for receiving the piston; a flexible, inelastic, diaphragm sealingly engaged with the piston and with the chamber; and passage means extending from the chamber for external connection.